On Thursday, October 31, 2024, a reliable source in the Yemeni capital reported that the Houthi movement, classified as a terrorist organization by the international community, has moved several detainees to secret prisons in anticipation of potential airstrikes.

Fares Alhemyari, a reporter for the Chinese news agency Xinhua, cited the source stating that the Houthis transferred inmates from the Security and Intelligence Agency prison in Sanaa to undisclosed locations. The group claims that this move is a precautionary measure against air raids targeting what they describe as "dangerous spies."

Since June 7, 2024, the Houthi group has conducted a widespread campaign of arrests against employees of international and humanitarian organizations. The Yemeni Ministry of Human Rights previously reported that those detained are held in secret prisons where they face severe torture and inhumane treatment to coerce confessions that implicate them.

The Ministry also noted that the abduction campaign has been accompanied by a disinformation campaign via Houthi media outlets, which label the detainees as spies working for the U.S., Israel, and other foreign entities. This narrative aims to tarnish the humanitarian efforts and social standing of the affected individuals within their families and communities.